As a Chinese international student in North America, landing a Google summer internship was always a big goal of mine. Google is one of the top tech companies, and getting an internship there is extremely competitive. On top of that, being an international student means dealing with visa concerns, as well as competing with a lot of talented candidates. After months of preparation, I finally got an interview, and the process taught me a lot.
Google’s summer internship applications usually open in the fall, with deadlines in December or January. I started preparing a few months ahead, focusing mostly on my resume. I made sure to highlight the specific projects I had worked on and what I accomplished. For example, instead of just writing “team player,” I explained a project where my team and I solved a technical problem together. Google cares more about what you’ve done, not just what you know.
Visa issues are always important for international students. Thankfully, some Google positions accept OPT (Optional Practical Training) and H-1B visa candidates. I made sure to check the “Work Authorization” requirements for each job to ensure I applied for positions that fit my visa situation. This saved me time and helped me focus on the right opportunities.
The interview process was the toughest part. Google’s interviews include both technical and behavioral questions. The technical part tests your knowledge of algorithms and data structures, so I spent a lot of time practicing on LeetCode to get better at coding. The behavioral questions asked about how I handled challenges. I prepared some real-life examples and used the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep my answers clear.
In addition to preparing for the interviews, I attended Google recruitment events at my school to learn more about the company. At these events, I met some Google employees who gave me great advice. I also used LinkedIn to connect with people at Google and ask them for tips.
Looking back, the whole process was challenging, but I learned a lot from it. The technical prep, interview practice, and networking made a big difference. My advice is to start early, focus on improving your resume, practice for the interviews, and be patient—good things will come.
Release time:2025-05-06
